Sams, Larkin & Huff, LLP

Georgia Attorneys With Over
130 Years Of Combined Experience

Is Aggressive Driving A Worrisome Factor In Car Accidents?

Aggressive driving can affect anyone, show itself in multiple ways and be hard for bystanders to get out of the way of, which is why it is so worrisome.

Drivers in Georgia and other parts of the country may be affected by aggressive driving whenever they are out on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the aggressive driving signs of speeding, not obeying traffic signs, not yielding to the right of way and operating the car in a reckless manner are respectively related to 11.7 percent, 3.1 percent, 8.6 percent and 2.9 percent of fatal crashes in the state over the course of a single year. These anger-filled driving maneuvers could affect the likelihood of getting in a traffic crash.

Affects Large Percentage Of Drivers

Some vehicle operators may think they are not directly affected by anger on the roadway. However, NBCnews.com reports that 80 percent of drivers confirm that they have succumb to some type of road rage over the course of a year’s time. Men tend to get angrier when behind the wheel than their women counterparts. In fact, males between the age of 19 and 39 tend to be the most aggressive drivers. With so many people giving into a rage on the roadways, it is not surprising that 56 percent of car accidents that resulted in a death are related to at least one type of aggressive driving technique.

Presents Itself In Many Ways

Aggressive driving can show up on the road in a variety of ways. One of the most common signs of road rage is the offering up of an obscene gesture. Other signs include the following:

  • Following a vehicle too closely.
  • Cutting off another driver.
  • Trying to run another vehicle off of the road.
  • Honking the horn repeatedly and aggressively.

No matter how aggressive driving manifests itself, it can lead those behind the wheel to make choices they normally would not make. When anger clouds a person’s judgment, they may end up causing or getting into a vehicle collision.

Is Hard To Avoid

Drivers who keep their cool while on the roadway may struggle to get out of the way of an upset operator. When streets are congested, drivers may have no option other than to remain in the way of the angry person. This could lead to even more irritational and dangerous behavior. If a person notices someone driving aggressively, it is suggested that he or she try not to engage the other person and instead simply focus on getting to the destination.

If a person behind the wheel gets angry while on the roadway in Georgia, he or she may partake in dangerous driving habits that could increase the chances of an accident taking place. No matter the situation of a crash, it can be beneficial to work with an attorney who is familiar with this type of traffic incident case.